Reward offered to inform on drink-drivers

A £500 reward is being offered this Christmas to anyone who informs police of a drink-driver. The money is put up by Crimestoppers, the national charity set up to persuade people to shop criminals via telephone tip-offs.

The group has launched a national campaign this Christmas so that anyone who informs on a drink-driver can also give their personal details to receive a reward. Once a drink-driver is arrested, charged and convicted the cash will be paid.

The scheme was piloted last year but very few people who shopped drink drivers claimed the cash. Ron Jessup, vice chairman of the Campaign Against Drinking and Driving (CADD), said: "Crimestoppers tried a localised scheme last year and I understand it was quite successful so they have decided to go national. I think lots of people telephoned in information and less than four per cent actually claimed the reward, so it was quite effective.

Mr Jessup, whose daughter Penny, 21, was killed by a drink-driver said CADD backed the scheme. "Some people would say it is immoral not to report a drink-driver anyway. Anything that saves lives, particularly at this time of year can only be welcome.This money will just encourage people to do their moral and public duty."

Crimestoppers urged anyone who witnessed a drink driver to call 999, Last Christmas, 8 per cent of drivers breath-tested after accidents were over the limit – a sharp increase on previous years. The rise was blamed on persistent drink-drive offenders. About 600 people are killed each year by drink-drivers.

Police this year have been cracking down on drink driving, with "morning-after" drivers particularly targeted. Anyone caught over the legal limit faces a fine of up to £2,500, up to three months in prison and a lengthy driving ban.